Household Elegancies:
Design Influences in
Nineteenth & Early
Twentieth Century Decorative
and Applied Arts
The 19th and early 20th centuries were a period of
rapid change; fueled by the Industrial Revolution
a wide range of goods were being produced that
would become available to a ever widening
population both in Europe and America. With the
rise of industry the concept of design - "good
design" became an area of concern. Technological
improvements allowed more goods to be created
but with that innovation design sometimes suffered.
There were significant "Movements" in the 19th
century and early 20th century that stressed
design and handwork - seeking the purity of design
and harmony within the home. This exhibit,
although far from being comprehensive, presents
the wide range of design influences which existed
(and the often "mixed mess" those striving for
design perfection railed against). There are
examples of mass produced goods as well as the
truly artistic endeavors; we have presented the
many objects in groupings based upon the design
influence regardless of dates of manufacture. Also
throughout the exhibit we have created several
design vignettes shown in gallery settings as well as
identifying the key design influences we have
displayed in our period rooms.